The global medical foam market was valued at USD 24.12 billion in 2020 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.8% during the forecast period. Factors driving the growth of the medical foam market include growth of implantable devices sector, increase in aging population and shift from traditional to advanced wound care products.
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The global medical foam market is segmented based on foam type, material and application. Foam type is further split into flexible foam, rigid foam and spray foam. The flexible foam segment dominated the market in 2019. On the basis of material, the market is segmented into polymers, latex and metals. The polymer segment was the largest market in 2019. By application, the bedding & cushioning application segment accounted for the largest share of the global medical foam market and is projected to sustain its dominance over the forecast period.
Regionally, Asia Pacific accounted for the largest market share of the global medical foam market attributable to increasing per capita healthcare spending. Leading players of the global medical foam market include 3M, Zotefoams plc, General Plastics Manufacturing Company, Inc., Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd., Foamtec Medical, UFP Technologies, Inc., The Dow Chemical Company, Huntsman Corporation, Rogers Corporation, Trelleborg AB among others.
Key segments of the global medical foam market
Foam Type Overview, 2018-2028 (USD Billion)
- Flexible Foam
- Rigid Foam
- Spray Foam
Material Overview, 2018-2028 (USD Billion)
- Polymers
- Latex
- Metals
Application Overview, 2018-2028 (USD Billion)
- Bedding & Cushioning
- Medical Packaging
- Medical Devices & Components
- Prosthetics & Wound Care
- Others
Regional Overview, 2018-2028 (USD Billion)
- North America
- U.S.
- Canada
- Europe
- Germany
- United Kingdom
- France
- Asia Pacific
- China
- Japan
- India
- Latin America
- Brazil
- Mexico
- Middle East & Africa
- GCC
- South Africa
Reasons for the study
- The rapid expansion of the medical devices sector,
- Consumer focus on health & periodic cleanliness
- An increase in the aging population & the need for patient comfort
What does the report include?
- The study on the global medical foam market includes qualitative factors such as drivers, restraints and opportunities
- The study covers qualitative and quantitative analysis of the market segmented on the basis of foam type, material and application. Moreover, the study provides similar information for the key geographies.
- Actual market sizes and forecasts have been provided for all the above-mentioned segments
- The study includes the profiles of key players in the market with a significant global and/or regional presence
Who should buy this report?
- The report on the global medical foam market is suitable for all the players across the value chain including product manufacturing companies, suppliers/distributors, R&D labs, CROs, healthcare organizations, medical reimbursement and insurance providers
- Venture capitalists and investors looking for more information on the future outlook of the global medical foam market
- Consultants, analysts, researchers, and academicians looking for insights shaping the global medical foam market
Wound care is one of the foremost application of medical foam. The global burden of wounds is increasing due to ageing population and growing prevalence of diabetes. In Germany, traditional wound care still represents ~25% of total wound care market. Moreover, infected wounds remains a big clinical challenge due to prolonged hospitalization, readmission rates, reoperation, antibiotics and increased mortality rates.
Foams are generally soft, pliable for conformability and have a low adherence. They are generally made from polyurethane that has been heat-treated to provide a smooth contact surface. They provide thermal insulation, do not shed fibers or particles, and are gas permeable. Their most important function is absorbency of exudate and the maintenance of a moist warm environment. They are made in various sizes and shapes, with or without an adhesive border. Dressings without borders need to be secured by the use of a holding bandage applied appropriately or an adhesive tape. Dressings with borders adhere to skin and the patient’s skin must be of a sufficient integrity to allow adherence without causing skin damage. The shaped dressings are generally bordered and designed to manage awkward sites on the body, such as the heel, elbow and sacral area. Most foam dressings come in sheets and there are some cavity dressings available. Foam dressings can be used as primary and secondary dressings.
On the basis of application, the market is segmented into bedding & cushioning, medical packaging, medical devices & components, prosthetics & wound care and others.
There are many kinds of mattresses. The most common types are made of memory foam (or viscoelastic foam), flexible polyurethane foam, coils, or combinations of these materials. Flexible polyurethane foam and memory foam are both polyurethane foams, but each type contains different additives at varying amounts to achieve the desired density, firmness, and rate at which the foam returns to its original position. The polyurethane foam that makes up most mattresses is made by mixing polyols with water and isocyanates, the primary building blocks of foam. The process also uses other chemical catalysts, surfactants, fillers, and flame retardant chemicals. Some manufacturers add auxiliary blowing agents, which influence the foam’s softness and density. Most, if not all, of the ingredients used in making polyurethane foam are petroleum products, meaning they are derived from fossil fuels. All of these ingredients are mixed together in a mold and react quickly, rising like a loaf of bread.
In July of 2015, a number of petitioners including medical, consumer, science, fire, and community organizations, submitted a petition to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to ban halogenated flame retardants (OFRs) in certain consumer products, including some childcare articles, upholstered furniture, mattresses, and mattress pads. Mattresses must meet certain flammability standards set by the U.S. federal government; these standards require both a smolder test and an open flame test. A smolder test is meant to simulate a fire ignited by a cigarette, whereas an open-flame test is meant to simulate a fire ignited by a flame, like a candle. Crib mattress flammability is not regulated under specific federal regulation; the same standards as adult mattresses apply.